Celta vs Barcelona Summary
Celta Vigo fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday, February 17. The result sees Barca close their gap to Girona to two points. Celta, on the other hand, are in 17th place, just three points off the drop zone.
The first half saw the visitors trying to keep the ball for lengthy spells of time. They had the ball for 70% of the first period, which pushed Celta deep back into their own territory and neutralized the threat they posed. However, Barcelona lacked creativity in the final third and struggled to convert possession into clear-cut chances. They attempted seven shots with just two on target.
Celta seemed to be heading towards half-time with a clean sheet. However, Robert Lewandowski had other ideas. The Pole latched onto a pass by Lamine Yamal to put Barcelona 1-0 up on the cusp of half-time with just their second shot on target.
The hosts put up a fight in the second period as they fought for the ball a bit more than they did in the first. However, their output did not change as they managed just two shots on target with that extra possession. Iago Aspas gave his team a lifeline just two minutes after the restart as he levelled the game following an assist by Oscar Mingueza.
Both teams made multiple changes as they looked to grab a go-ahead goal. However, Barcelona had the last laugh, late in the game. Celta midfielder Fran Beltran clipped Lewandowski in the box and nothing was awarded initially. However, VAR advised that a penalty be given and the Pole stepped up and scored the winner in the seventh minute of added time.
Barcelona held on to secure a 2-1 win over Celta. On that note, let’s take a look at the player ratings for both teams.
Celta vs Barcelona Player Ratings
Celta
Vicente Guaita – 6.5/10
Guaita made just two saves in the game in a below par performance.
Oscar Mingueza – 7.5/10
Mingueza provided an assist for skipper Aspas’ goal. He won five duels, making three tackles and two clearances. He also played two key passes.
Carl Starfelt – 7/10
Starfelt had a good game in defence. He won three duels, making eight clearances, three blocks and one interception. He also played two long balls.
Carlos Dominguez – 6.5/10
Dominguez put in an average performance at the back.
Mihailo Ristic – 6.5/10
Ristic played well but suffered a knock and was subbed off in minute 59.
Tadeo Allende – 6.5/10
Allende had a decent game on the right flank. He won five duels, making two tackles and one interception. He attempted two shots but neither were on target.
Fran Beltran – 6/10
Beltran had a game to forget as his foul threw away one point Celta could have earned.
Renato Tapia – 6.5/10
Tapia put in an average performance in midfield for his team.
Luca De La Torre – 6.5/10
De La Torre had a decent game as he played one key pass, attempted one shot on target and won two duels.
Jorgen Strand Larsen – 6.5/10
Larsen had a decent game up top for the hosts. He won four duels and attempted three shots, with just one of those on target.
Iago Aspas – 7.5/10
Skipper Aspas led from the front and was his team’s best player. He played four key passes, two crosses and two long balls. He also scored the leveller in the 47th minute.
SUBSTITUTES
Unai Nunez – 7/10
Nunez replaced Dominguez and put in a decent performance.
Manuel Sanchez – 6.5/10
Sanchez came on for the injured Ristic and played well.
Williot Swedberg – 6.5/10
Swedberg came on in the 77th minute but did not impact the game.
Kevin Vazquez & Anastasios Douvikas – N/A
The pair came on late in the game and did not play enough minutes to warrant a rating.
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6.5/10
Ter Stegen made three saves throughout the game and was also booked for arguing with the officials.
Jules Kounde – 6.5/10
Kounde won three duels and played five long balls in a decent performance.
Ronald Araujo – 6.5/10
Araujo was good at the back and passed the ball with 94% accuracy. He also won his only duel.
Pau Cubarsi – 7/10
Cubarsi was solid at the back as he won five duels, making three clearances, two tackles and one interception. He also played six long balls.
Joao Cancelo – 7/10
Cancelo had a decent game in defence as he won three duels, making four interceptions, one clearance and one block.
Frenkie de Jong – 7.5/10
De Jong played well in midfield as he passed the ball with 94% accuracy, including two key passes and two crosses. He also won five duels, making four tackles and three clearances.
Andreas Christensen – 6.5/10
Christensen played well in defensive midfield as he won three duels and attempted two shots that were off-target.
Pedri – 7/10
Pedri had a decent game in midfield as he passed the ball with 80% accuracy, including two key passes. He also won four duels.
Lamine Yamal – 8/10
Yamal had a great game on the wing as he provided one assist. He also won five duels and attempted four shots with one on target.
Robert Lewandowski – 8.5/10
Lewandowski grabbed a crucial brace to see Barcelona over the line with a win.
Vitor Roque – 6.5/10
Roque had a decent game but was unable to make an impact in the final third.
SUBSTITUTES
Inigo Martinez – 6/10
Martinez came on for Araujo and played well.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6.5/10
Gundogan passed the ball with 89% accuracy during his short cameo and played two key passes.
Raphinha – 7/10
The Brazilian replaced Roque in the second half and played well.
Fermin Lopez – 6.5/10
Lopez replaced Pedri late on and put in a good shift.
Oriol Romeu – N/A
Romeu came on with seconds left on the clock and did not play enough minutes to warrant a rating.